Intel’s latest 11th-gen CPU lets ultraportables hit 5GHz
Thin and light computers will finally cross the 5GHz barrier with Intel's latest flagship 11th-gen U-series chip. Announced at Intel's Computex keynote tonight, the Core i7-1195G7 will be able to reach 5GHz on a single core thanks to Intel's Turbo Boost Max 3.0. And, as part of this slight refresh, the company also announced the i5-1155G7, which offers a few speed improvements over the previous top-end i5. Normally we'd expect even bigger news from Intel at Computex, but this year's virtual event doesn't have the cachet of the usual Taipei tech fests. (At least there's something, I genuinely missed the late-night Computex events in 2020.)
Beyond hitting 5GHz, the new processors don't pack in many surprises. The 1195G7 still sports four cores and eight threads, and it features 96 Intel Xe graphics cores like the 1185G7. Basically, they're a way to deliver a small upgrade to PCs coming this fall. The 11th-gen U-series were formally introduced last September, so having fresher hardware could help Intel better compete against AMD's ultraportable 5000 series chips.
Intel also announced its first 5G M.2 module, which was developed together with MediaTek after Intel sold its 5G assets to Apple. Creatively dubbed "Intel 5G Solution 5000," it will make it easier for PC makers to plug in that wireless tech in their upcoming laptops. The module will supports slower sub-6GHz spectrum, and it'll appear in laptops from Acer, ASUS, HP and others later this year.
Intel claims there are also over 30 designs geared up for 2022. Given the slow rollout of 5G throughout the US and much of the world, though, it's unclear if average consumers will really be demanding 5G built into PCs by next year. (The situation may be very different for pro customers, but I'd wager they'd be better served by fast millimeter wave 5G.)
In the briefest sense, Intel previewed its new 11th-gen NUC (Next Unit of Computing) tiny desktop at a Computex briefing as well. PCMag reports that it'll be the first NUC to support a full-sized video card, making it even bigger than the NUC 9 Extreme we reviewed last year. That model could only hold smaller 8-inch GPUs, but that seemed like a decent tradeoff for its compact size. As the NUC gets bigger, there's clearly less differentiating it from other small form factor PC designs.
The NUC 11 Extreme will be powered by an 11th-gen H-series CPU, so we'd expect the platform upgrades that accompany that chip, like PCI Express 4.0 speeds and Wi-Fi 6E. Since this was just a tease, there aren't any pricing or availability details yet.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/intel-11th-gen-u-series-5ghz-ultraportables-033353234.html?src=rss_b2c
Android 12 will force apps through the official share menu
You know how when you open a photo or link to share it and it doesn't always open the same share dialog? It turns out that's because Android allows app developers to customize the so-called "sharesheet," creating inconsistency from app to app. To have a more uniform experience, you can currently set third-party apps like Sharedr as the default sharesheet rather than the stock Android version. However, Google plans to stop that behavior in Android 12, according to XDA Developers.
Sharedr's developer filed a bug report after noticing that Android 12 no longer prompted users to select between Android Sharesheet and it's own app. Google said that was the intended behavior, so it was effectively blocking third-party apps from replacing its own share dialog.
"We had never actually intended to allow apps to replace the share dialog, that intent is for apps to launch the share dialog," Google told XDA Developers. "Being able to replace the share dialog is also becoming increasingly impossible — you couldn’t implement the direct share part of the UI, nor the personal vs. work profile tabs in (Android) R, etc. This is just not something that is feasible to allow apps to replace."
Google hasn't said whether it would continue to let app developers customize Android Sharesheet, which is what created the inconsistent user experience to begin with. For instance, Samsung smartphones allow you to enable or disable direct contact sharing, as XDA Developers noted. You'll still be able to use apps like Sharedr, but you'll have to select them as an app from the stock sharesheet, creating an extra step.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/android-12-will-force-apps-through-the-official-share-menu-082004255.html?src=rss_b2c
Google says it won’t build Privacy Sandbox backdoors
Google is attempting to assuage concerns that it will somehow bypass the privacy-friendly rules it's introducing in place of third-party cookies in Chrome. With the changes expected next year, the company recently told apprehensive advertisers that it will be beholden to the same techniques it is imposing on others. "We’ll be using these [Privacy Sandbox] APIs for our own ads and measurement products just like everyone else, and we will not build any backdoors for ourselves,” said ads VP Jerry Dischler at the Google Marketing Live event on Thursday, according to DigiDay.
As the ground has shifted on targeted ad practices, Google has pitched a new roadmap for data privacy that it hopes the ad industry will adopt. One of the central changes it is introducing is a shift away from single user IDs to cohort IDs, effectively anonymizing data by targeting ads at larger groups of people (instead of individuals) with similar interests. Google has already begun testing the so-called Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC) technique on millions of Chrome users. The broader Privacy Sandbox aligns with anti-tracking initiatives from Apple and Mozilla (which blocks third-party cookies in Firefox by default).
The search giant is hoping the rules will please a wide swathe of people, from lawmakers to privacy-conscious consumers to the ad industry. Regulators concerned about Google's dominance in digital advertising have pounced on the changes. At the start of the year, the UK's markets authority opened an investigation into FLoC to determine whether it would "distort competition." In March, state antitrust watchdogs amended a major lawsuit targeting Google to take into account changes to ad tracking in Chrome.
At the recent event, Google's Dischler reiterated the company's position against ad tracking for individuals. “Third-party cookies and other proposed identifiers that some in the industry are advocating for do not meet the rising expectations consumers have when it comes to privacy. They will not stand up to rapidly evolving regulatory restrictions; they simply cannot be relied on in the long term,” he said.
Google's latest statement was clearly aimed at the marketers who use its targeting tools. Advertisers and publishers have already introduced an alternative to the Privacy Sandbox in the form of Unified ID 2.0. The open-source project built by several industry groups relies on email addresses and other info to create encrypted identifiers.
Summarizing the ad sector's concerns, Digiday notes that Google has not clarified whether Chrome will be among the proprietary products that it plans to collect individual-level data from. Marketers are also anxious that Google could simply change its mind on backdoors at a later date.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/google-privacy-sandbox-backdoors-100016646.html?src=rss_b2c
The Morning After: A surprising cloudy day on Mars
NASA's Curiosity rover has been able to register something which, while unremarkable on Earth, is an interesting phenomenon for Mars — cloudy skies. The agency has shared images of "shining" clouds, able to form on a planet that has a relatively thin atmosphere. Nothing has been confirmed just yet, but they could be naturally formed dry-ice clouds, made of carbon dioxide.
It might not match the appeal of ancient megafloods or possible signs of life, but Curiosity continues to offer up new Mars insights, both above and below the surface of the red planet.
— Mat Smith
Japan will send a transforming robot ball to the Moon
Sony and Tomy both helped with the design.
A little closer to home, Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has teamed up with Sony, Doshisha University and toy-maker Tomy on a ball-shaped transforming robot destined for the Moon. It will study lunar soil ahead of a crewed rover set to launch in 2029. Continue reading.
Apple delays paid podcast subscription launch to June
The company originally wanted to release the feature in May.
Apple's podcast subscription service won't be coming out this month, as previously scheduled. In an email to podcasters obtained by 9to5Mac, the company has announced it's pushing back both the subscriptions and channels release date to June to ensure it's "delivering the best experience for creators and listeners." The "channels" feature will recommend groups of shows curated by creators, with extra descriptive text and artwork. Continue reading.
Tesla may have to ship Texas-made EVs out of state to sell them to Texans
Pro-dealership laws have created an awkward situation for Tesla.
Tesla's long-running battle with pro-dealership laws is about to get even weirder. Texas legislature is winding down its session on May 31st, without advancing a bill that lets Tesla sell directly to customers. This means the EV maker will likely have to ship cars from its upcoming Texas, Austin-area Gigafactory out of state before it can sell them to Texans. Continue reading.
Intel's latest 11th-gen CPU helps ultraportables hit 5GHz
Plus, there's a new 5G M.2 laptop module coming.
Announced last night at Intel's Computex keynote, its newest Core i7 chip will reach 5GHz on a single core, thanks to the company’s new Turbo Boost Max 3.0. Beyond hitting 5GHz, the new processors don't pack in many surprises. The series still sports four cores and eight threads, and it features 96 Intel Xe graphics cores like its predecessor. Basically, it should offer a small upgrade to new PCs coming this fall.
Intel also announced its first 5G M.2 module, which was developed with MediaTek after Intel sold its 5G assets to Apple. Continue reading.
But wait, there’s more...
Apple TV 4K review: Finally, a Siri remote I don't hate
Hitting the Books: Sci-fi strategies may be needed to stave off climate change
Ford's electric F-150 range estimates are very conservative
WhatsApp won't limit accounts for users who don't accept its new privacy policy
New AI supercomputer will help create the largest-ever 3D map of the universe
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-a-surprisingly-cloudy-day-on-mars-112600849.html?src=rss_b2c
The best 60-percent keyboards you can buy
Gaming keyboards are plentiful and diverse right now. You can buy them in black or white, wired or wireless, and with at least a dozen key switch options. And every year they’ve gotten bigger and more complex, with media buttons and macro keys and bright rainbow LED lighting. However, this past year has seen some manufacturers go in the opposite direction, introducing 60-percent keyboards that are cute and compact. But are they worth buying?
How many keys does a 60-percent keyboard have?
First off, it’s worth nothing that gaming keyboards tend to follow one of three different configurations. The most common one is the full-size deck, which will usually have somewhere between 100 and 110 keys, depending on whether the manufacturer includes media buttons or macro keys. There’s always a function row located along the top of the keyboard, and a number pad on the far right. Most gamers will prefer a full-size model because it lets them perform many different functions with just one press, and set up macros for activities that aren’t already built-in to the keyboard.
Tenkeyless decks have been pretty common for a while now; those are keyboards that omit the number pad on the right. That’s it. They still have function keys and media controls, but they’re narrower since they omit 17 keys. Yeah, it’s actually more than 10 keys but “seventeenkeyless” doesn’t have the same ring to it. Gamers might opt for one of these when they need a little more space on their desk, and they don’t need a quick way to enter numbers or do calculations (which is my number one use case for the right-hand pad).
Then there are 60-percent keyboards which, as the name indicates, cut out 40 percent of the standard keyboard size and only have 61 keys. Not only do they just remove the number pad, but the function keys are gone, along with the arrow keys and those weird system keys like “print screen” and “home” that are only useful when you happen to need them. On some computers they don’t even work.
On a 60-percent keyboard you’ll access these buttons by using the function key; there’s no standard layout between companies so you’ll have to learn new hotkeys if you switch between manufacturers like Razer, HyperX or Corsair. They also lack built-in wrist rests, though the height is at least adjustable.
Razer also just introduced a 65-percent keyboard, a less common configuration which keeps the arrow keys and some functions but still tosses the rest to maintain a reduced profile. This is probably a preferred option if you use the arrow keys a lot. I need them because I edit a lot of text, and some games may use them instead of the standard WASD array for controlling your character.
What are the benefits of a 60-percent keyboard?
With so many functions removed, why buy a 60-percent keyboard? The number one reason is space of course. If you’re gaming in tight spaces or just have a lot of crap on your desk like I do, not having to shove stuff aside just to make some elbow room is nice. It’s especially helpful if you tend to eat near your computer, as a 60-percent keyboard’s small size makes it easy to push out of the way to rest a plate or bowl on your desk. It actually keeps the keyboard a lot cleaner, too, since I can easily shake crumbs out of it with one hand.
A smaller size also makes it more portable, obviously, with a 60-percent keyboard taking up less space than a laptop in your bag, though it’s still a little thick. They do have lower-profile keys than standard decks at least, though if thickness is your number one concern then carrying around a mechanical keyboard is probably not for you.
One big feature that doesn’t get talked about a lot is that all of the recent 60- (and 65-) percent decks use detachable USB-C cords. So if you switch between workspaces often, you can easily leave a cord at each desk to quickly plug in your keyboard. As someone who tests a lot of keyboards I’ve found this handy because I can switch out the deck and leave the cord intact. It’s often a real pain to have to unplug cords and untangle them from my office setup every time I try a new keyboard, but for the 60-percent models I’ve been using the same wire for all of them.
The best for most gamers: Razer Huntsman Mini
The best of the major 60-percent keyboards out there right now is the Huntsman Mini. It uses Razer’s opto-mechanical switches, which I haven’t been too fond of in the past, but the company seems to have made some changes that make it a much more pleasant typing experience. It’s quiet and smooth with good response time, though people who prefer a springy key feel should look elsewhere. It’s not a wireless keyboard, so if you take it on the go you’ll need to make sure you always have a USB-C cord handy. The Huntsman Mini also comes in white, which means it’ll blend into your decor more than most gaming accessories, especially if you choose to customize the LED lighting.
Pros: Attractive; good typing feel; comes in white.
Cons: No wireless; not everyone will be a fan of opto-mechanical keys.
Buy Huntsman Mini at Amazon - $129
Runner up: HyperX Alloy Origins 60
If you need a solid, sturdy brick of a 60-percent keyboard, the HyperX Alloy Origins 60 is a mechanical deck on a metal baseboard. It’s heavier than the other options on the market, so it might not be the best if you’re aiming to keep your travel bag as light as possible. But if you’re a particularly rough typist this is the one that will put up with hard keystrokes the best. It also earns points for being the one 60-percent keyboard that puts the secondary arrow functions at the bottom right of the deck where you’d normally look for those, instead of tucking them away in the middle.
Pros: Solidly built; cheaper than other 60-percent options; well-placed arrow keys.
Cons: Heavy; no wireless.
Buy HyperX Alloy Origins 60 at Amazon - $100
The best with arrow keys: Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed
Razer’s BlackWidow line has long been a favorite of the gamers here at Engadget, and the V3 Mini is no exception. Unlike the other keyboards on this list it’s a 65-percent keyboard, which means it still has arrow keys and a column of miscellaneous keys on the right side that can double as macro buttons. There are two switch options available to suit different typing preferences, either clicky and tactile (green) or linear and silent (yellow). It’s worth noting that the latter description is the company’s term for it, and the V3 Mini’s typing is still noticeably audible to those around you.
Pros: Two types of switch available; has both 2.4G and Bluetooth wireless; includes keys other keyboards don’t have.
Cons: Expensive; the lip at the bottom is bulky.
Buy BlackWidow V 3 Mini HyperSpeed at Amazon - $180
A cheaper but underwhelming option: Corsair K65 RGB Mini
Corsair usually makes pretty great keyboards, but I couldn’t necessarily say that of the K65 RGB Mini, its entry into the 60-percent market. The materials were substandard for the company, with a plastic casing that felt hollow and keys that made a ringing noise when hit. But it’s not a completely terrible accessory, and users already invested in Corsair’s iCUE software might want to keep their accessories streamlined under one customization suite instead of having to bounce between different interfaces. If that isn’t a concern for you, the HyperX Alloy Origin 60 is both better and cheaper.
Pros: Uses Corsair’s iCUE software; key feel is good.
Cons: Cheap materials; noisy typing experience; no wireless.
Buy K65 RGB Mini at Corsair - $110
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/best-60-percent-keyboards-160038272.html?src=rss_b2c
Xiaomi says it can fully charge a phone in eight minutes
In the saturated world of smartphones, charging speeds have become another way for manufacturers to stand out from the crowd. Records have been smashed and milestones achieved by companies jostling for attention. Today, China's Xiaomi has put its new fast charging system to the test and beaten world records in wired and wireless charging in the process, according to Engadget Chinese. Using its new Hyper Charge tech on a modified M11 Pro with a 4,000 mAh battery, Xiaomi says it brought the handset from 0 to a 50 percent charge in 3 minutes and 23 seconds, and to a full charge in just 8 minutes over a 200W wired connection. In its 120W wireless demonstration, it took 7 minutes to reach half capacity and 15 minutes to hit 100 percent.
Offering some extra insight into the controlled demo, Chinese bloggers briefed on the tech said it was conducted using a GaN charger (originally bundled with an 80W version) and a new dual-coil wireless charger. The modified phone itself uses a 10C graphene battery, they added. Before you get too excited, though, there's still no word on when the Hyper Charge tech will go into mass production.
This isn't the first time Xiaomi has touted its world-beating charging speeds. Significantly, the latest breakthrough marks a major upgrade on the 120W wired charging on the Mi 10 Ultra, which can fully juice up the phone in 23 minutes. The company also previously revealed that it could wirelessly charge a modified version of the Mi 10 Pro over 80W in 19 minutes.
Not to be left behind, Xiaomi's rivals have also shown off their charging chops: Vivo has demonstrated its 120W fast charger fully charging a gaming phone with a 4,000 mAh battery in 15 minutes. And Oppo — which licenses its fast charging tech to OnePlus — charged a 4,000mAh in 20 minutes with a 125W system and in 30 minutes using its 65W wireless AirVOOC tech.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/xiaomi-fully-charge-phone-eight-minutes-124528179.html?src=rss_b2c
Sigma fp L hands-on: Tiny camera, big sensor, enormous compromises
Sigma created some buzz with the original 24-megapixel FP thanks to the cool, diminutive body and high-end video capabilities including RAW recording. Now, it has introduced the $2,500 fp L with the same body but a much higher resolution 61-megapixel sensor. Along with the camera, Sigma unveiled an external electronic viewfinder, which was the original model’s most-requested feature.
As before, the Sigma fp L is the smallest full-frame mirrorless camera you can buy. More impressively, it’s also the highest resolution full-frame model, period, in a tie with Sony’s A7R IV (which likely shares the same sensor). Is the size too small for the sensor? I got my hands on one for a week, along with several of Sigma’s best lenses, to find out.
Gallery: Sigma fp L hands-on gallery | 25 Photos
Gallery: Sigma fp L hands-on gallery | 25 Photos
The fp L has a weird, boxy shape like a squished Leica rangefinder. Manual controls are sparse, with just a front dial to adjust exposure settings, along with a video record, stills/video and power switch on top. Around back is another (fiddly) dial with a center “OK” button, plus eight buttons for the AE lock, quick menu, menu, mode, color, tone, display and playback.
The 24-megapixel fp was designed as a video and a street camera and the small, square body suited that purpose. However, the fp L has a 61-megapixel sensor, so it’s less useful for video (more on that shortly) and better for portraits and landscape shooting.
The lack of a proper grip and tilting screen is problematic for those situations, however. Though small and not heavy compared to rival cameras (427 grams compared to 665 for the Sony A7R IV), it’s not very comfortable to hold. The lack of a grip makes it easy to drop, though it does have a tank-like build.
Another issue is that a 61-megapixel sensor is begging for heavy, high-quality glass. For instance, Sigma loaned me its excellent 35mm f/1.2 GN DN Art lens and it weighs 1,090 grams or 2.4 pounds. Without a decent grip, it’s difficult to hold onto the camera and lens without a tripod or other support.
While manual controls are sparse, I figured that the top and back dials could handle most of my exposure settings. However, the back dial's D-pad controls are too sensitive. When trying to rotate it to adjust ISO or other settings, I was constantly activating the focus setting by mistake.
With the fp L, Sigma introduced the EVF-11 external electronic viewfinder that also works on the original fp. It attaches to the camera on the side, connecting to the HDMI and USB-C ports.
Connecting the EVF was tricky, as I had to wiggle the connectors into the ports and then screw it into a standard tripod-type receptor, which is a lot to juggle. Once connected, though, the 3.69-million-dot display offers decent resolution, color accuracy and refresh speeds. It tilts all the way through 90 degrees, making it possible to use it for both regular and low-angle shooting.
As for the touchscreen, it’s reasonably bright and color accurate, but unfortunately it’s fixed so it doesn’t tilt or swivel. As a result, I found it difficult to use for high and low-angle shooting, particularly for video.
Touch functions are limited to focus selection, much like older Sony cameras. However, it’s relatively laggy and not terribly accurate for that purpose. Since it lacks a joystick, though, you’re stuck using either that or the rear dial/D-pad — and the latter is pretty slow, too.
The menus aren’t terribly well designed, either, as it’s difficult to tell at a glance whether you’re in the main or sub-menus. To that end, the quick menu will be your friend when you’re using this camera.
Performance is not ideal. The specs don’t sound too bad, with burst speeds at up to 10 fps, along with a new phase detect autofocus system that supports face and eye-detect autofocus. However, despite the shift in technology, the AF system didn’t lock onto my subjects very quickly and often failed to track moving subjects. As a result, I missed quite a few shots and had many others that were out of focus.
In any event, the lack of a mechanical shutter means that burst shooting is nearly out of the question, because the rolling shutter on this camera is pretty bad. If you’re trying to pan on a moving subject, you could get a large amount of skew or distortion that renders shots unusable. The lack of in-body stabilization doesn’t help, as it forces you to rely on lens stabilization. And many L-Mount lenses you’d want to use with this camera lack that feature.
If you shoot subjects that don’t move too fast (i.e. landscapes or portraits) the fp L does deliver in terms of image quality. The 61-megapixel sensor allows for sharper photos than any other full-frame camera except, of course, Sony’s A7R IV.
Gallery: Sigma fp L sample image gallery | 53 Photos
Gallery: Sigma fp L sample image gallery | 53 Photos
Colors and skin tones are clinically accurate, making it easy to warm or cool them as needed. As before, the fp L delivers great JPEGs straight out of camera and offers several preset color modes (natural, portrait, landscape, monochrome, etc.) that remove the need for post-processing.
The RAW DNG files are easy to tweak in post if you need to recover highlights or shadows. As with the Sony A7R IV, it’s not as bad as you’d expect in low light considering the small pixels. In many cases, you’re better off underexposing a bit and pulling up the shadows in post.
The fp L has great specs for video on paper, like 4K 30p recording to 8-bit RAW DNG or H.264, or even 12-bit 4K RAW DNG recording if you hook up an SSD via the USB-C port. However, the 61-megapixel sensor has slow readout speed and about seven times more resolution than you need for 4K, making it poorly suited for video.
Sigma appears to use oversampling rather than line-skipping like Sony does with the A7R IV. That does produce very sharp video, but terrible rolling shutter because the sensor has relatively slow readout speeds. There’s less rolling shutter if you export video to an external recorder via the mini-HDMI port, but then it shifts to a line-skipping mode that delivers much softer video.
In the right circumstances (internal 12-bit RAW recording to an SSD without much camera or subject movement), video quality should be solid. However, as Gerald Undone has pointed out, and as I’ve seen myself, it seems like you can either have decent dynamic range or good color accuracy, but not both.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/sigma-fp-l-hands-on-photos-video-140016832.html?src=rss_b2c
Save over $100 on this portable personal air conditioner
Summer is just around the corner, and with each year feeling hotter than the last, air conditioning is becoming even more of a necessity. Central air or window units aren’t accessible to everyone, however, but a personal AC can do the same job without the hefty power bill. They can also be hauled from outlet to outlet, so you can stay chill when you relocate from your dining area to the bedroom once you clock out for the night.
If you’re in the market for an energy efficient air conditioner that won’t break the bank, the EvaSMART 2 fits the bill. This smart personal AC is on sale right now for just $162 with this limited-time Memorial Day deal.
The EvaSMART is portable, powerful and easy to operate.This personal AC effectively offers the functionality of a humidifier and an air purifier in a single device that’s barely eight inches all around. It’s equipped with swappable evaporative cartridges that absorb water and cool an area of up to 33 feet, all while filtering dust particles for a cleaner operating environment.
The EvaSMART’s water tank only needs to be refilled after eight hours of use, and it only emits up to 40 decibels of sound, which is no louder than the hum of your fridge. The unit runs on 12W of energy, which is also considerably less than a traditional air conditioner; that means the EvaSMART can even be powered with a portable battery bank, making it a great companion for camping trips.
To adjust the temperature with the EvaSMART, simply use the touchscreen on the top of the device or control it with the mobile app. This personal AC also works with voice commands and can connect to Amazon Alexa, Google Home and other smart home platforms for a hands-free experience.
If you want to carry your climate control with you wherever you go, check out the EvaSMART 2. You can purchase this air conditioner on sale this week for $162 and save even more on your electric bill this summer.
Prices subject to change.
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Article source: https://www.engadget.com/eva-smart-2-sale-145525242.html?src=rss_b2c
Instant Pot Ultra cookers are 50 percent off at Amazon for Memorial Day
Did your Memorial Day cooking not go as planned? Amazon might come to your rescue for next time. The internet retailer is running a Memorial Day sale with steep discounts on Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 cookers. The six-quart model is selling for just $70, or 50 percent off, while the eight-quart version for large families is down to $90 from its original $160 — not quite half-price, but close.
Buy Instant Pot Ultra (6-quart) at Amazon - $70
Buy Instant Pot Ultra (8-quart) at Amazon - $90
Instant Pot cookers are versatile as a matter of course, but the Ultra models might be particularly desirable if you want one device that (seemingly) does it all. The 10-in-1 functionality adds cakes, eggs and even sterilization to a gadget already handy for everything from slow-cooked pork through to rice. It won't cover every possible menu item, but it could significantly expand your culinary options without also cluttering your countertops with gadgets.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/instant-pot-ultra-amazon-memorial-day-sale-145735479.html?src=rss_b2c
Tesla may have to ship Texas-made EVs out of state to sell them to Texans
Tesla's long-running battle with pro-dealership laws is about to create an awkward situation in Texas. The Drive and The Verge report that Texas' legislature is winding down its session on May 31st without advancing a bill that lets Tesla sell directly to customers. In other words, the EV maker will likely have to ship cars from its upcoming Austin-area Gigafactory out of state before it can sell them to Texans — more than a little problematic when Governor Greg Abbott celebrated the factory plans last July.
The state could theoretically call a special legislative session or develop a regulatory exception, but neither is considered likely. The next regular session isn't due until 2023.
Tesla chief Elon Musk was unsurprisingly unhappy with this, saying his company "sure would appreciate" a change in the law to avoid this workaround. The proposed law would have allowed any automaker to sell directly to customers in Texas so long as the vehicles were entirely electric and weren't sold through dealerships, opening the door to Tesla as well as competitors like Rivian.
Texas isn't the only state with laws protecting the dealership model, nor is it the only one with proposed reforms. Connecticut has in-progress legislation that would let Tesla sell cars, not just lease them. However, these states generally don't have EV factories. The Texas Gigafactory highlights economic consequences of these laws that haven't always been evident until now.
Article source: https://www.engadget.com/tesla-affected-by-texas-dealership-laws-152618312.html?src=rss_b2c